Plenty of help options for inexperienced photographers, including useful Guide mode

Good option as a first DSLR

Many special effect options

D3300 works equally well as an automatic camera or with full manual controls, depending on your experience level

Camera is a lightweight model and is slightly smaller than its predecessor

Offers a good value in entry-level DSLR market

Cons

Only a basic list of features for a DSLR

No touchscreen or articulated LCD

No built-in Wi-Fi connectivity

Camera's performance slows significantly in Live View mode

Would be nice to have more choices of resolutions than three

Camera's popup flash doesn't open automatically when its needed; must be opened manually

Camera doesn't automatically switch from Live View mode to Viewfinder mode when camera is lifted to your eye

Movie's manual controls are limited and aren't easily accessed

Experienced photographers will want more advanced control options

Battery life could be better

Bottom Line

The Nikon D3300 will serve the entry-level DSLR market extremely well,
offering a good value to inexperienced photographers looking to take a
step forward from point-n-shoot cameras to more advanced models. The
D3300 creates high-quality images and performs fast versus others in its
class. It's unfortunate this camera's Live View mode performance is so
sluggish, and it'd be nice if Nikon had given the D3300 touchscreen LCD
capabilities, two areas that would appeal to less experienced
photographers. Still the D3300 is a very easy-to-use DSLR camera, and it
has enough advanced features to continue to give you good performance
as your experience level grows. Read more in our Full Conclusion.

At CES 2014, Nikon announced the D3300, an entry-level "HD-SLR" packed with features and technologies from the company's more professional models. The D3000 includes a 24.2 megapixel DX-format (APS-C) CMOS image sensor that does have an optical low pass filter (OLPF). Removing the OLPF boosts resolution and image sharpness. The EXPEED 4 image processor is also onboard, allowing up to 5 frames-per-second continuous shooting, helping capture more accurate colors, and improving image quality even at higher ISOs. Speaking of which, the D3300 has a pretty wide ISO range, from 100 to 12800.

The Nikon D3300 boasts Full 1080p HD video recording at up to 60p, along with full-time 11-point AF (autofocus). It is also the first Nikon HD-SLR to feature Easy Panorama Mode, one of four new Effects Modes that also include Photo Illustration, Super Vivid, and Pop. The official press release lists 13 In-camera Effects as well, but it's not clear as to whether or not that includes, or is in addition to, the four mentioned above.

By the way, are you nervous about making the jump from point-and-shoot to an DSLR?

Nikon's got you covered with Guide Mode, which helps beginners learn the basic functions of the D3300. In Guide Mode, you have access to four options: 1) Shoot photos using example images, to help you learn framing; 2) View/Delete; 3) Setup; and 4) Retouch, to fix images in-camera.

If you need Wi-Fi compatibility, the D3300 will work, but only if you purchase the optional WU-1a Wireless Mobile Adapter. From there, and with a free app, it's easy to use smartphones and tablet devices as a remote control shutter button, or as an external "Live View" monitor display.

Nikon D3300 HD-SLR Features:

24.2-megapixel DX-format (APS-C) CMOS image sensor

no optical low pass filter (OLPF)

EXPEED 4 image processor

Full 1080/60p HD Video Recording

with Full-time AF (autofocus)

3.0-inch Display

100 - 12800 ISO

11-point Autofocus System

5 frames-per-second Continuous Shooting

Wi-Fi Capable (with OPTIONAL WU-1a Wireless Mobile Adapter)

13 In-Camera Effects

4 New Effects Modes

Photo Illustration

Super Vivid

Pop

Easy Panorama Mode

Guide Mode

Shoot Photos Using Example Images

View/Delete

Setup

Retouch (images in-camera)

Compact Body (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.9")

The Nikon D3300 HD-SLR is available -- in black, red, or grey -- as part of a $649.95 kit that includes the AF-S NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II lens. The kit lens will also be available separately for $249.95. And, finally, the newly introduced prime lens -- the AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G -- will sell for $599.95. To see the most current pricing online for the D3300, click our Lowest Price button at the top right of this page.

What's in the box?:

D3300 Camera Body

EN-EL14a Rechargeable Li-ion Battery

MH-24 Battery Charger

EG-CP14 Audio/Video Cable

UC-E17 USB Cable

DK-25 Rubber Eyecup

AN-DC3 Camera Strap

BF-1B Body Cap

Nikon ViewNX 2 CD-ROM

Additional Product Views

(above includes OPTIONAL WU-1a Wireless Mobile Adapter)

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